Friends of the Earth president Erich Pica is a nationally recognized environmental and progressive leader, and an economics expert on energy subsidies. Erich builds capacity for climate justice by networking with coalition partners at the intersection of environmental, economic, social and racial root causes. For more than a decade, Erich has worked to reform U.S. tax and budget policy to reduce pollution and increase clean energy. Before becoming president in 2009, Erich was the organization’s director of domestic programs, launching campaigns to regulate nanotechnology and synthetic biology as well as federal government management of our transportation systems. The Washingtonian called Erich one of Washington, D.C.’s “40 Under 40: K Street’s New Generation of Lobbyists” and Washington Life Magazine named him one of Washington’s “Green City Leaders” . Erich has testified before Congress and appeared extensively in the media. He lives in Silver Spring, MD with his wife and son.